Resolution for Samuel A. Gilbert-- Part 2: A Coast Survey Resolution

At a meeting of the assistants (of the U.S. Coast Survey), present in Washington, on the 19th of June, 1868, the following resolutions were adopted:

"Whereas information has reached us of the death, at St. Paul, Minnesota, on the 9th instant, of our friend and associate, Brevet Brigadier General Samuel A. Gilbert, assistant in the Coast Survey

"Resolved, That the officers of the  Coast Survey learn with profound grief and sensibility of the removal from among them, by death, one whose high qualities had impressed themselves on all who became associated with him, and whom they equally loved and respected.

"Resolved, That they recognized in their late associate the possession of those emminent abilities which are sure to lead to distinction, whether displayed in scientific pursuits or in military life.  He possessed sound discretion and judgement, combined with vigor and energy in action.

"Setting his aims high, he was only satisfied when he attained his own ideal.  He combined in an eminent degree gentleness with courage, modesty with knowledge,  and self control with enthusiasm.  He gave his services as a military officer to the country during the late war, with the same ardor and vigorous ability which had marked his civil career, and won merited  distinction.

"Resolved, That the Superintendent of the Coast Survey be respectfully requested to cause a copy of  these resolutions  to be placed  upon the records of the Coast Survey, in token of our appreciation of the merits of our late valued associate, and to communicate these  proceedings to his family."

High Words of Praise.  --Old Secesh

Obituary of Samuel Augustus Gilbert, U.S. Coast Survey-- Part 1

From "Report of the Superintendent of the Coast Survey Showing the Progress of the Survey During  the Year 1868."

Assistant Samuel A. Gilbert died at St. Paul, Minnesota, on the  9th of June.  He was by brevet, a brigadier general,  for active and meritorious  services in the field in the recent war; and as a civilian, was one of the most experienced of the assistants in triangulation and topography.

The resolution passed at a meeting of his associates, a few days after his decease, well express the sterling qualities of the man, as evinced within my own knowledge during the short period of my personal acquaintance with him.

In the  hope of recovering from  the effects of hardships undergone in the military service, Assistant Gilbert left his home and his interesting family in Zanesville, Ohio, and dwelt during the greater part of the year in St. Paul.  The cessation from active duty brought some measure of personal comfort, but failed to restore strength to his powerful  frame and constitution, which finally wasted away in consumption.

--Old Secesh

General Samuel A. Gilbert-- Part 1: In West Virginia Early in the War

Two posts ago, I mentioned that Gen. Charles C. Gilbert was the brother of Brig. Gen. Samuel A. Gilbert.  Another Civil War general whom I do not know.  Some more research and Wikipedia does not have an article about this man.  

But, GENi does have some information.  So, we will continue our Roadtrip Through History that started with Charles C. Gilbert.

SAMUEL AUGUSTUS GILBERT

Birthdate:  August 15, 1825

Death:  June 9, 1868  (age 42), St. Paul, Minnesota

Civil War brevet brigadier general.  Was a civil engineer in the U.S. Coast Survey service and took leave of absence during the war and appointed lieutenant colonel of the 24th Ohio Volunteer Infantry and sent to what became West Virginia to defend Union positions.

On October 14, 1861, he was given command of the 44th Ohio Volunteer Infantry as colonel and later participated in the Battle of Lewisburg, West Virginia.

--Old Secesh

John Ross Key, Engineer CSA-- Part 1: Yep, That Key Name

One of the men appointed to the Board to detail the defense of Fort Sumter and Charleston Harbor was John Ross Key.  Well, last name of Key.  Could he be related to that other famous Francis Scott Key?

The answer is yes, he was.

From the North Point Gallery site.  Turns out John R. Key was quite the artist and mapmaker.

John Ross Key was born July 16, 1837, two months after the death of his father, and was raised until the age of five by his grandfather, none other that Francis Scott Key, who wrote, of course, "The National Anthem."  His grandfather died in 1843.

As a teenager, he was forced to work to support his widowed mother.

His talent for drawing  led to a job as a topographical artist and draftsman  with the U.S. Coast Survey.  In 1859, he was hired as mapmaker in the advance party of the Lander Expedition to chart the best overland  through hostile Indian territories of Wyoming and Nevada.

In 1861, along with several other Francis Scott Key grandsons, he threw in his lot with the Confederacy.

--Old SeceshKey